Find our news and fishing reports below.

To fish or not to fish? That is
the question. Whether it is madness in the mind to suffer the heat and sun in
unlikely good fortune or take up rods and in doing so tackle them and catch
them.

Do you consider that you have
had a “bad” day if you fail to catch? Have you not enjoyed yourself even if now
and again (especially in the Summer months) your fishing trip turns out to be
non- productive? These questions when I put them to fishless anglers, are 99.9
% of the time answered with a positive “Oh no, I’ve had a wonderful time”. They
tell me they have… given themselves a well overdue casting lesson, gone through
their tackle bags and had a good clear out and a tidy up, tried all manner of
fly combinations they would not normally consider (there are no fly restriction
here at Brick Farm Lakes) and using different lines and leaders throughout the
day really drawn on all the tips and knowledge that they have acquired over the
years, truly testing their angling skills. Yes they have been disappointed not
to catch a fish sometimes, but on the other hand that is all part and parcel of
any type of angling. In a funny way the occasional blank day is what helps keep
this wonderful sport fresh and keeps us coming back for more. When you can see
the fish rising around you in the early morning or late into the evening
twilight or feel the occasional soft tug on a fly down deep in the middle of
the day it can be infuriatingly frustrating, but exhilarating and absorbing as
well! The anglers go on to tell me about all the wonderful wildlife they have
been privileged to witness (we have at least eight different types of dragonfly
here), they have been persuaded to try a
change of platforms or even lakes to those that they “always” fish at and in
doing so found fresh new potential for a future visit.

One of our lakes (Brick Lake) is
fed by a small stream and the other (Well Lake) is spring-fed and so each can
fish very differently at times. They go on to tell me they have had a
neighbourly chat with their fellow anglers, putting the world to rights and
have had a doze in the shade or visit to the lodge to treat themselves to a
cool drink and a tasty ploughman’s lunch.

The decision to come fishing in
July or August is a choice we must all make, I think, with the attitude that
the whole package of a day fly fishing is one of many parts, catching and
landing a fish being just one of them and all these parts of the day must be
enjoyed. This is an all-too-short period in our fishing calendar and any time
now Autumn will be upon us with truly wonderful weather. A time of the year
with cool, fogy mornings and early evenings, light drizzly rains and chilly
breezes, but also warm enjoyable sunshine and a fresh batch of seasonal insects
to get our angling juices flowing again.
The water in both Brick Lake and Well Lake has remained well oxygenated
and so, thankfully we have had very few fatalities in the hot weather of July
and August. We have continued to stock with top quality fish and increased our
efforts in weed clearance and are ready after our summer break to begin a
season of fly fishing at in all its glory!

…A final reminder for our St.
Michael’s Hospice Charity Fly Fishing day to be held this year on Saturday 21st
September. It is not too late to book your space for this excellent event in
our calendar. A wonderful opportunity to combine your beloved sport with
supporting this very worthy cause .The day includes a 4-fish ticket, breakfast
and coffee on arrival, home cooked lunch with pudding and afternoon tea and
cake. There is always a very generous raffle and prize giving at the end of
this wonderful day. The cost is £52, so to book your place contact Marcia Dart
on 01424 456381 or mdart@stmichaelshospice.com

We are pleased to announce the
date of our Late Summer Competition as Thursday 3rd October. The event is of
course first and foremost a fun way to get together with fellow anglers. The
cost is £35 for a four fish ticket and includes a coffee and sausage baguette
for breakfast on arrival at 8.30. There will be prizes for the heaviest bag and
the largest and smallest fish caught. (You are welcome to fish on into the
afternoon if you have not caught your entire bag by lunchtime). Please contact
the lodge to book a place, the more the merrier!

Fishing through August has been
a bit patchy with the hot weather, with mixed fortunes for our anglers. Some
who fished at the start or end of the day have had success with floating lines
and wet and dry flies such as Daddies, Dabblers and all manner of small midges
and gnats. Those who have had success in the middle of the day have been mainly
on sinking lines with Damsels and Montanas, and not forgetting the much loved
Buzzers and Bloodworms all fished generally with a slow, patient retrieve.

Just to add… if you are a novice
who would like the benefit of some extra tuition we are happy to organise a
session here at Brick Farm with one of our team. Or maybe fly fishing is a
sport you have never tried but always been tempted to have a go at. We have all
you need here at Brick Farm Lakes to help you take those first steps towards a
truly fascinating, absorbing and relaxing hobby, one of the few that is
suitable to both men and women of all ages. Please just phone the lodge for
details.